100 and not out – Pirelli marks truck tyre centenary with latest ‘01’ additions
Pirelli has now been in the truck tyre business for exactly 100 years and the Italian manufacturer enters its second century in the sector by launching several new products. In mid-September the company introduced three tyre lines that round out its ‘01’ series; the FW:01 and TW:01 for winter conditions, FH:01 and TH:01 long-distance haulage tyres, and FG:01 and TG:01 for construction machinery.
As reported by tyrepress.com in July (see link below), the TW:01 drive axle and FW:01 steer axle tyres have been developed for medium and long-range haulage applications. Pirelli says its research and development unit’s focus was to “assure top performance and safety on wet, snow-covered, or icy roads with temperatures below 4° centigrade.” Both tyres are described as featuring dense, thin siping that provides excellent ‘snow on snow’ grip for better traction and stability on wet and slippery surfaces. The tread compound used is a patent-pending dual layer arrangement with high silica content.
The FH:01 steer axle and TH:01 drive axle tyres were developed by Pirelli for long-haul transport applications on motorways and arterial roads. Pirelli says an emphasis has been made on reduced and more uniform tread wear along with operating economy, safety and acoustic comfort. Compared with the preceding tyre series, the FH:01 and TH:01 are said to deliver 10-15 per cent improved mileage and 10 per cent better dry and wet handling. Additionally, the TH:01 reportedly offers 30 per cent lower rolling resistance and noise emissions. The range’s market launch will occur in January 2012 with the following sizes: 295/80R22.5, 295/60R22.5, 315/60R22.5, 305/70R22.5, 315/70R22.5, 315/80R22.5 and 385/55R22.5 (FH:01 only).
Last but not least is the ‘G:01’ range for mixed use on roads and in construction sites. The FG:01 steer axle and TG:01 drive axle tyres have wider treads than the products they replace – Pirelli says this increased width leads to better mileage (30 per cent higher than the previous series). The tyres feature side reinforcing belts for enhanced side impact and abrasion resistance (Pirelli claims tear resistance is 25 per cent superior to the last-generation tyre). As for the tread patterns used, Pirelli says they were designed to “guarantee the maximum traction on unsurfaced roads and high acoustic comfort, mileage, and grip on surfaced roads.”
All three product lines utilise the latest generation of Pirelli’s ‘SATT technology’, something the Italian manufacturer calls “most advanced available for the production of truck tyres.” Pirelli explains SATT as a belt configuration that facilitates high levels of longevity and reliability performance while maintaining comfort and environmental qualities. Each of the new tyres, as do all tyres in the latest generation 01 series, also feature the ‘ECOIMPACT’ marking on the sidewall, certifying reduced environmental impact thanks to structural and tread robustness in relation to impact and tear damage, improved mileage during the tyre’s first life, retreadability and compliance with European environmental directives.
Pirelli backs the 01 series up with a number of services, including its CQ24 International breakdown service and Pirelli Retreading System. A further add-on that was developed in the UK is Pirelli Fleet Check. This software application, developed together with Cadnet Solutions, offers the direct management of tyre stocks by supplying fleet managers with systems to check pressure and groove depth (probes). The figures recorded are transmitted by a palmtop receiver (PDA) to the fleet’s central data bank, thus allowing the preparation of the following tyre inspection reports: tyres fitted and replaced, reasons for replacement, warehouse stock, on-line analysis of running costs, performance analysis/tyre audits. Pirelli Fleet Check is currently utilised by Pirelli-assisted fleets in the UK, Turkey and South America, and it will be introduced to Italy in the near future.
A hundred years before these latest members of the 01 range were launched, Pirelli entered the truck tyre business with the release of the ‘Ercole 1000 x 150’, which first appeared on the tyre maker’s price lists in September 1911.
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